System and method for checking parameter settings of radio networks

Abstract

A method and system for checking modified parameters of components of a radio network. Operational parameters that have been modified are checked on obeying business rules comprising requirements that have been deduced from operational use of the radio network, preferably before they are implemented in the network. The method and system allow application of compressed row techniques in databases comprising the parameters.

1. A method for verifying a modified parameter obtained from changing an operational parameter of a component of a radio network, the method comprising the steps of:
 before the modified parameter is implemented in the network, checking the modified parameter on the basis of a rule so as to yield a result, said rule comprising both a technically sufficient parameter setting requirement and a deviation from the setting requirement based on an operational requirement deduced from use of the radio network; and 
 if the result indicates that the rule has been obeyed, storing the modified parameter in the network such that subsequent network operation will respond to the modified parameter. 
 
   
   
     2. The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the checking step comprises the steps of:
 copying the operational parameter from the radio network to a database; and 
 changing the operational parameter to the modified parameter. 
 
   
   
     3. The method recited in  claim 2  further comprising the step of generating a non-compliance signal if the modified parameter does not obey the operational requirement. 
   
   
     4. The method recited in  claim 3  wherein the non-compliance signal is a file or message displayed to an operator. 
   
   
     5. The method recited in  claim 3  wherein the non-compliance signal is programmable. 
   
   
     6. The method recited in  claim 2  further comprising the steps of:
 storing the operational parameter in a first part of the database; and 
 storing the modified parameter in a second part of the database. 
 
   
   
     7. The method recited in  claim 6  wherein the first and second parts of the database are separate databases. 
   
   
     8. The method recited in  claim 1  further comprising the step of storing the operational parameter or the modified parameter in a database using a compressed row technique. 
   
   
     9. The method recited in  claim 2  wherein the database comprises a hierarchy table that stores and provides access to the operational parameter and the modified parameter. 
   
   
     10. The method recited in  claim 9  further comprising the step of using the hierarchy table in checking whether the modified parameter obeys the rule. 
   
   
     11. The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the modified parameter relates to a level of a GSM or DCS network hierarchy. 
   
   
     12. The method recited in  claim 11  wherein the GSM network hierarchy has multiple levels, the levels being MSC, OMC, BSC, BCF and/or BTS. 
   
   
     13. The method recited in  claim 11  wherein the GSM network hierarchy has multiple levels, the levels being TRX, HO and/or CH. 
   
   
     14. The method recited in  claim 11  wherein the modified parameter checking step comprises the step of applying the rule to a level of the GSM, DCS or GPRS hierarchy so as to determine whether the rule has been obeyed. 
   
   
     15. The method recited in  claim 11  further comprising the step of checking relationships between different operational and/or modified parameters in the same or different hierarchical levels of the radio network. 
   
   
     16. The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the modified parameter relates to a GPRS hierarchy. 
   
   
     17. The method recited in  claim 16  wherein the GPRS hierarchy has multiple levels, the levels being MSC, OMC, BSC, SGSN, BCF and/or BTS. 
   
   
     18. The method recited in  claim 16  wherein the GPRS hierarchy has multiple levels, the levels being TRX, HO and/or CH. 
   
   
     19. The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the rule is programmed, ordered or influenced by an operator of the radio network. 
   
   
     20. The method recited in  claim 19  wherein the operational requirement comprises a technically preferable requirement programmed, ordered and/or influenced by the operator. 
   
   
     21. The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the operational requirement comprises an administrative requirement. 
   
   
     22. A system for verifying a modified parameter obtained from changing an operational parameter of a component of a radio network, wherein the system comprises:
 a rule checker which, before the modified parameter is implemented in the network, checks the modified parameter on the basis of a rule so as to yield a result, said rule comprising both a technically sufficient parameter setting requirement and a deviation from the setting requirement based on an operational requirement deduced from use of the radio network; and 
 a data transferrer which, if the result indicates that the rule has been obeyed, stores the modified parameter in the network such that subsequent network operation will respond to the modified parameter. 
 
   
   
     23. The system recited in  claim 22  further comprising:
 a first part of a database for storing the operational parameter from the radio network; and 
 a second part of the database for storing the modified parameter. 
 
   
   
     24. The system recited in  claim 23  further comprising a signal generator which generates a non-compliance signal if the modified parameter does not obey the operational requirement. 
   
   
     25. The system recited in  claim 23  further comprising scripting means which define rules and/or error messages that are to be used by the rule checker. 
   
   
     26. A radio network comprising a component having an operational parameter that can be changed to a modified parameter, the network comprising:
 a rule checker which, before the modified parameter is implemented in the network, checks the modified parameter on the basis of a rule so as to yield a result, said rule comprising both a technically sufficient parameter setting requirement and a deviation from the setting requirement based on an operational requirement deduced from use of the radio network; and 
 a data transferrer which, if the result indicates that the rule has been obeyed, stores the modified parameter in the network such that subsequent network operation will respond to the modified parameter. 
 
   
   
     27. The radio network recited in  claim 26  wherein the operational parameter and the modified parameter relate to a level of a GSM, DCS or GPRS hierarchy of the radio network. 
   
   
     28. A computer program recorded on a computer readable media and containing computer executable instructions for execution on a computer system, the program comprising software code portions for verifying a modified parameter obtained from changing an operational parameter of a component of a radio network, wherein the instructions when executed cause the computer to:
 check, before the modified parameter is implemented in the network, the modified parameter on the basis of a rule so as to yield a result, said rule comprising both a technically sufficient parameter setting requirement and a deviation from the setting requirement based on an operational requirement deduced from use of the radio network; and 
 if the result indicates that the rule has been obeyed, store the modified parameter in the network such that subsequent network operation will respond to the modified parameter. 
 
   
   
     29. The computer program recited in  claim 28  wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the computer to:
 copy the operational parameter from the radio network to a database; and 
 change the operational parameter to the modified parameter. 
 
   
   
     30. The computer program recited in  claim 28  wherein the operational parameter or the modified parameter is stored in a database using a compressed row technique. 
   
   
     31. A data carrier having a computer program recorded thereon, the program containing computer executable instructions for execution on a computer system, the program comprising software code portions for verifying a modified parameter obtained from changing an operational parameter of a component of a radio network, wherein the instructions when executed cause the computer to:
 check, before the modified parameter is implemented in the network, the modified parameter on the basis of a rule so as to yield a result, said rule comprising both a technically sufficient parameter setting requirement and a deviation from the setting requirement based on an operational requirement deduced from use of the radio network; and 
 if the result indicates that the rule has been obeyed, store the modified parameter in the network such that subsequent network operation will respond to the modified parameter. 
 
   
   
     32. The data carrier recited in  claim 31  wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the computer system to:
 copy the operational parameter from the radio network to a database; and 
 change the operational parameter to the modified parameter.